Random access article selection of system and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus are disclosed for effecting selection of an article or item stored in a random access system. Each article or item is provided with codifying indicia in accordance with the selected number system with the indicia comprising two independent components that are termed &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;number&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; indicia and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;complemental number&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; indicia. In an illustrative embodiment the articles comprise sheet-form cards which are formed with a series of key-form slots arranged along one marginal edge portion with each of the slots designed to incorporate and combine both the number indicia and the complemental number indicia. Selection and removal of a numerically identifiable card is mechanically accomplished through selective operation of a similar number of selector bars with each bar cooperatively engageable with a respective key-form slot in the card. Mechanical minipulation of the selector bars in accordance with the selected number system effects a combined operation of retaining within a storage area all cards having a designating number greater than a selected number and retaining all cards having a designating number less than the selected number. In effect in this mechanical example, mechanical displacement of the selector bars in accordance with a specific numerical designation simultaneously releases all cards having a numerical designation less than this number as well as the card with the selected numerical designation and effects reengagement of the selected bars thus manipulated with all cards having a numerical designation less than the selected number.

[451 June27, 1972 RANDOM ACCESS ARTICLE an article or item stored in a random access system. Each arti- SELECTION OF SYSTEM AND cle or item is provided with codifying indicia in accordance APPARATUS H E with the selected number system with the indicia comprising two independent components that are termed number" in- William J- Lambert, 2270 Roving Road, dicia and complemental number" indicia. In an illustrative Lancaslel', Ohio 43138 embodiment the articles comprise sheet-form cards which are July 13 1970 formed with a series of key-form slots arranged along one marginal edge portion with each of the slots designed to incorporate and combine both the number indicia and the complemental number indicia. Selection and removal of a numerically identifiable card is mechanically accomplished through selective operation of a similar number of selector bars with United States Patent Lambert [72] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

21 Appl.No.: 54,352

I I'll //l c 9Clain5, 10Drawingfigures each bar cooperatively engageable with a respective key-form slot in the card. Mechanical minipulation of the selector bars in accordance with the selected number system effects a combined operation of retaining within a storage area all cards having a designating number greater than a selected number and retaining all cards having a designating number less than the selected number. In eflect in this mechanical example, mechanical displacement of the selector bars in accordance with a specific numerical designation simultaneously releases all cards having a numerical designation less than this number as well as the card with the selected numerical designation and effects reengagement of the selected bars thus manipulated with all cards having a numerical designation less than the selected number.

585 m m n 1 0 m w 6 m0 m "2 u m S m m m m a u n e m w m m m m 5 .n M am T M 4 c s rail c w u E emu t M b 1 n m T m. m M c n m A mmm & w a m a n a N.. w d n 1 e e u e D GSGB m m U R s h m M u u 5 66 y m l G u N 6766 C o .m U 9999 an m 2 n- 1111 p p L .f. 38 lo 1 m 8 a d mM 0 5 7207 E m 9mm an d I 7 a e 111 1 mum m 1 m nun nm 7 a [ill I. 3333 PA U M PATENTEnJum 1972 3,672,497

sum 1 or e INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. LAMBERT BY MAHONEY. MILLER & TEBENS BY W8 ATTORNEYS PlTENTEnJunzv I972 SHEET 2 0F 6 INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. LAMBERT BY MAHONEY, MILLER 8. STEBENS BY WSMW ATTORNEYS PATENTEnJum m2 3, 672 .497

sum 3 0F 6 LAW WILLIAM J. LAMBERT I NVEN TOR.

BY MAHONEY, MILLER & S EBENS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUHZY m2 51572.49?

SHEET l} 0F 6 UNITS CA) HI i i V l E g n 8/ 1 l f U l. u g F 3 J 2 I Q l I Q Y/ /l/ z M lail D m a I m INVENTOR.

WILLIAM J. LAMBERT BY MAHONEY, MILLER & T 8 NS 9 Maia 2Z5,

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJIIIIN I972 SHEET 5 OF 6 H 8 W lm .Tum H m on w on mm i Q Ymm 25m W 6 A :aowv 8.00s 26x6 12:5 30; 56x6 18:3 8m 5m II I II J I II 3; tauEu I336 INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. LAMBERT BY MAHONEY. MILLER a. TEBENS ATTORNEYS P'A'TENTEDJUHN I972 7 3.672497 SHEETBUFG COMPLEMENT NUMBER \f (6) F kg; 0 0

a 4 i 2 1 a 4 '2 I a 4 2 I a 4 2 I (5,[ 0 0 a 4 2 I a 4 2 I a 4 y 2 I a 4 l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS RANDOM ACCESS ARTICLE SELECTION .OF SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Apparatus and techniques for mechanical selection of articles or items stored in a random access system have been previously developed; however, such prior art apparatus and techniques have generally been relatively limited in capability as to the number of articles that could be handled in a specific machine. This limitation has developed from the practical aspect of relatively complex mechanical structures and mechanisms being required by the prior art techniques resulting in substantially large and cumbersome apparatus for effecting the desired selection of a single specific article or item. One commonly utilized technique is the designation or identification of the articles by means of a relatively simple coding or numbering system. In a simple coding system having a small numbering system as utilized in a known prior art apparatus, each card or article is identified by a unique code number with the maximum number of cards or items that could be handled by a particular apparatus being limited by the number of distinct and unique combinations of the mechanical operable selecting mechanisms incorporated in the particular apparatus.

In one type prior art apparatus, the selection is effected by actuation of several selector rods that are normally inserted in a similar number cooperatively holes or slots formed along one edge of each of a stack of cards and selectively withdrawn in accordance with a particular code designation. In this type of apparatus, the cards are supported on the rods that extend through the cooperating holes formed in the cards. Any particular card in this system would have the holes and slots so formed that removal of one or more of the rods, as determined by the specific number, code designation would remove any rods extending through holes and all other rods not so removed and extending through the slots would permit the removal or selection of that particular card but would retain all other cards. Other forms of prior art apparatus utilize devices or mechanisms equivalent to the rods and holes or slots such as magnetic means for effecting the cooperation between a supporting structure and the cards that may be selectively operated. In any instance, the prior art apparatus have a relatively limited capability without becoming cumbersome to construct and operate in that the capacity is limited by the usually straightforward combination of the number of mechanisms in effecting the identification of each article or card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In this application, apparatus and techniques are disclosed for substantially increasing the capability or capacity of selection systems based on the simple concept of rod and hole selection apparatus. In addition to marking or identifying each of the articles or cards in accordance with a code system such as a binary coding system, each of the articles or cards are also marked with what is termed herein as a complemental identification or marking with respect to the number identification of that specific card. While the markings designating the particular number and complemental number could be formed independently of each other, these are combined in accordance with this invention to further reduce the space requirements and thus further enchance the capabilities of the particular apparatus. Although a pure binary numbering system-type apparatus could be developed and utilized, it is preferred in the illustrated embodiment to modify such a structure to. more readily accept the decimal system currently in use. Such a modified form of combined binary-decimal system greatly reduces the equipment necessary for conversion of input selection signals to operation of the selecting apparatus. This is a cost reduction factor for the illustrated apparatus having a relatively lower capability but which is fully illustrative of the inventive concepts. It would be economically feasible in particular applications to utilize a strictly binary system and justify the added expense of the required conversion apparatus.

The illustrative example disclosed herein is specifically adapted for selection in a random access mode of stored information bearing cards. This is not to be considered as a limitation on the utilization of the apparatus and technique in that it is contemplated that the article to be selected may be other than a card and could well encompass an article stored in a warehouse in relatively remote positions to other articles. In such a system, the articles may be dissimilar. Also, the selector rod mechanisms for effecting the random selection of a particular card is to be considered as an example and it is contemplated that other mechanisms may also be utilized in performance of this function. For example, it will be readily understood that magnetic mechanisms and systems could be incorporated as full equivalence to such mechanically actuated or operated selector rods.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, both as to apparatus and method, and the accompanying drawings illustrating a mechanical example of a structure embodying this invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a selector apparatus embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 5 on an enlarged scale taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional similar to FIG. 4 showing the mechanism in an actuated position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 66 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of three indicia bearing cards designed for utilization with this apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view demonstrating the selection technique of the apparatus in conjunction with the card.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a basic electrical system for performing a selection function in conjunction with the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of four cards demonstrating the principle of operation of the method and apparatus of this invention.

The specific apparatus disclosed herein was designed and developed for a LOGO-card system utilizing the card-form shown in FIG. 7. It will be understood that the particular ap-' paratus and card-form is not be be considered as a limitation, but is presented as illustrative of apparatus embodying the basic concept of this invention. The cards which are designated by the letter C are preferably constructed from relatively rigid sheet-form paperboard having a nominal dimension of the standard letter size 8% by l l inches with the vertical dimension being the shorter. Formed along the upper horizontal edge of the card is the selection means comprising a series of L-shaped slots S uniformly spaced along the marginal edge portion and which open at the upper edge. Laterally projecting end portions are formed at the upper ends of the sides form support shoulders or horizontal edges E. The vertical surfaces of the card may carry visual material such as printed matter or microfilm. A plurality of cards are randomly positioned in stacked relationship in the apparatus with each of the cards normally being supported at the horizontal edges by a pair of support rails 10. These support rails 10 are elongated L-shaped members having one flange 10h normally disposed in the horizontal plane and a vertical flange 10v. The lateral spacing of the rails 10 is substantially that of the length of the cards to position each horizontal flange 10h under a respective edge E of the cards as is clearly shown in FIG. 8. It will be noted that the edges E are formed adjacent the upper marginal edge of each card C so that the center of gravity of a card will be well below a line extending between the edges E and thus result in the cards being maintained by gravity in a vertical position.

Selection of a desired card C in the illustrated apparatus is efi'ected by selective mechanical manipulation of a series of elongated bars which, for convenience in describing their operation and method of selection, are defined by the letter groups A, B, and C, with a respective numerical designation in the binary system utilized with this apparatus. As previously indicated, a combination binary and decimal system is utilized in this particular apparatus to simplify the apparatus requirements for a relatively small 1000 card system. Accordingly, the 12 bars are divided into three groups of four each, with those designated by the letter A defining units, those identified by B tens, and those identified by C, hundreds. Within each group, the respective bars are further designated by the numerals 7, 4, 2, and 1.

Each bar, which has a relatively flat configuration, is sup ported at each end on spaced parallel, transverse rods 1 1 and 12 that are, in turn, supported horizontally by the structural frame 20 of the apparatus. A third similar rod 13 is also carried by the structural frame at substantially the mid-point between the two end rods 11 and 12 for additional support and stability of the selector bars. Formed in each vertical face of the selector bars are opposed longitudinally extending grooves 14 and 15. These grooves are formed adjacent the lower edge of the respective selector bars and each groove is rectangularly shaped with the lower horizontal surfaces 16 and 17 of the respective grooves 14 and thus forming supporting surfaces.

' Each L-shaped slot S formed in a card C, as can be best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, is at least partially defined by a projection P including as a part thereof, a horizontal edge or lip I... This projection P may be formed in either direction, as will be noted with respect to the slots identified as 1 or 2 in the A or units series of slots and the lip L thus extends over the opposite portions of the widest part of each slot but in opposing directions. The width of the projection P is at least as great as the depth of the respective groove 14 or 15 with which it cooperates and the width of the throat T of each slot S is of a width to permit passage of a selector bar into or out of the slot. When selector bar A-l is positioned in the slot as shown in full lines in FIG. 8, it will be seen that the card C will be supported by the interengagement of the projection P and its associated lip L with the respective groove 15. It will also be seen in this figure that lateral displacement of the selective bar Al to the broken line position in accordance with the selection technique, as will be explained in greater detail, will result in disengagement of the projection P from the respective groove 15 and permit the bar to pass out of or into the slot. Each of the selector bars in the respective groups A, B or C are similarly formed and cooperate in substantially the same manner with a respective slot S. With reference to FIG. 8, it will be noted that the illustrated card C has the slots formed in a particular manner in accordance with the selected number system and thus identifies a specific numerically identifiable card.

Having reference in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4, and 6, the structural framework of the apparatus will briefly be described to provide a better understanding of the mechanical operation of the mechanism in performance of a card-selection operation. This structural framework comprises a basic frame designated generally by the numeral 20 comprising vertical legs 20a and horizontal struts 20b interconnecting the legs and providing support for the operating mechanisms of the apparatus. Rigidly secured to the upper portion of the structural frame 20 is a rectangularly-shaped mounting frame 21 that carries the several selector bars. Forming the mounting frame 21 are two longitudinal side members 22 and two transverse end members 23. The side and end members 22 and 23 are rigidly secured to each other with the rods 11 and 12 and 13 extending transversely between the side members 22 and extending through the members and secured thereto by suitable fastening means, such as nuts 11a, 12a and 13a threaded onto end portions of each rod.

Secured to each end member 23 are 13 similarly formed stop plates 24. Each stop plate 24 is rectangularly shaped and disposed in a vertical plane and is secured at one vertical edge to the respective end member 23 by suitable fastening means such as the bolts 25 extending through holes in the end members and threaded into sockets formed in the plates. The plates are of a dimension to extend a distance from the end member 23 to a point beyond the immediately adjacent rod 11 or 12 and are formed with a central aperature 26 through which the respective rod 11 or 12 passes. A circular, coaxial recess 27 is formed in the vertical sides of the plates 24 and each recess received one end of a helical spring 28 that is positioned between each plate and adjacent selector bar. Each of the respective selector bars is provided with an aperture having a bearing bushing 29 inserted therein to facilitate relative lateral displacementof the selector bars along the rods. Spacing of the selector bars is determined primarily by the desired slot formation in the card C in which the apparatus is to be utilized and the bars are according normally equidistantly spaced apart and thus each of the stop plates 24 will be similarly equidistantly spaced intermediate any two selector bars. The spacing is such that a selector bar may be moved a distance laterally to clear the projection P of a card which it is desired to select with the stop plates 24 positioned to limit lateral movement of a respective selector bar. Accordingly, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a selector bar, when laterally displaced to the position shown in broken lines will be positioned immediately adjacent the vertical surface of a stop plate. Operating noise and vibration is reduced in this embodiment through utilization of cushioning members 30 formed from a suitable resilient material and secured in respective recesses formed in the one surfaces of a stop plate 24. Two such cushioning membets are utilized surface of the stop plate which will be engaged by a selector bar.

The spring 28 positioned at the right side of a stop plate 24 biases the adjacent selector bar to its normal position as is shown in full lines in FIG. 3. Thus, removal of the selector bar displacing force that may be applied, as is subsequently described, will permit that spring to laterally displace the respective selector bar from the position shown in broken lines. The spring 28 at the opposite side of the selector bar, the spring at the left side of the stop plate 24 in FIG. 3, cushions the return of selector bar. Both springs 28 positioned at opposite sides of respective stop plate additionally permit the apparatus to readily accommodate slight variations in card size or slot positioning.

by three hinges 31 to a horizontal strut 20c of the frame permitting swinging movement of each rail about a horizontal axis. In their normal position, the support rails 10 are maintained withthe horizontal flange 10h horizontally disposed against the lower longitudinal edge of the side members 22 and resiliently maintained in this position by a series of three tension springs 32. Each spring 32 is secured to or attached to the respective rail at a point outwardly from the hinge point and is attached at the opposite end to the structural frame 20 by means of an adjustable bolt 33 secured to a mounting bracket 38 attached to the strut 20c permitting adjustment of the tension provided by the spring in maintaining the respective rail in this horizontal position. Each rail 10 is of a dimension such that the horizontal flange portion 10h will project a distance inwardly of the side member 22 into underlying relationship to the horizontal edge E of the cards C. In this position, the vertical flange 10v will engage the vertical edge portions of the cards C thus maintaining the cards C in longitudinal alignment for interengagement with the several selector bars. Although the apparatus would function without the support rails 10, it has been found desirable to provide rails to relieve and minimize wear on the cards C which normally are formed from paperboard. The function of the rails are to support the cards C at all times the apparatus is not in operation and primary, to support the cards when the selector bars are manipulated for card selection when there would be a greater tendency for the selector bars to deform and eventually destroy the shape of the slots S. Distortion or wearing of the slots S would eventually make the card unusable as the selection would become unreliable.

When it is desired to permit release or removal of a card that may have been selected, the support rails are pivoted downwardly from the normal position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5. This is accomplished by several electrical-solenoid actuators 34 spaced along the longitudinal sides of the apparatus and interconnected with the respective support rails. The three solenoid actuators 34 at each side of the apparatus are secured to a mounting angle 37 which, in turn, is secured to the vertical legs 20a of the structural frame 20. The armatures 35 of each solenoid 35 are mechanically coupled to the respective support rail 10 by means such as the illustrated chains 36 such that energization of the solenoids 34 pulls the chains 36 and pivots the support rails 10 downwardly to position shown in FIG. 5 against the biasing force of the springs 32. In this position, the rails 10 are out of the space defined'by the side members 22 and a card C is free to drop vertically downward between the rails.

Immediately beneath the selector bars and their mounting frame 21 is a conveyor mechanism 40 comprising a series of three longitudinally extending belts 41. The belts 41 are trained about a pulley shafts 42 and 43 at opposite ends of the apparatus with pulley shaft 42 driven by an electric motor 44 through a suitable gear-type speed reduction unit to provide the desired delivery speed. The function of the conveyor mechanism is to deliver cards as they are dropped fro the storage area to the front or delivery end of the machine which, with reference to FIG. 1, would be that at the-left side of the drawing. Completing the conveyor mechanism 40 are a pair of vertical guide plates 45 which assure that any cards selected will not be inadvertently displaced laterally and removed from the conveyor before discharge at the delivery end.

The cards may be readily replaced in a storage area defined by the mounting frame 21 and selector bars by positioning the cards on longitudinal extensions 10a of the support rails 10. The extensions 10a project a distance forwardly from the delivery end of the apparatus to pennit the cards to be readily replaced and then slid longitudinally along the rails into the area under the selector bars.

As previously briefly described, selection of a desired card is effected through lateral displacement of predetermined selector bars to result in disengagement of the respective displaced bars from the slots or projection P of the card which is selected. The selector bars are maintained in a normal position by the springs 28 which bear against the bars and the associated stop plates 24. Independent, mechanical displacement 0 each selector bar is effected through energization of respective electrical-solenoid actuators 50 that are arranged longitudinally along one side of the mounting frame 21. In this embodiment, there are two sets of identical actuators 50 to operate independently on each end of the relatively long selective bars and thus assure a positive action without twisting or binding. Although independently operable, the solenoid actuators 50 are energized in pairs one in each set, through an electrical circuit such as is shown in FIG. 9 and thus assure that the associated selector bar will be laterally displaced throughout its length. Since there are 12 selector bars in this illustrative embodiment, there are 12 solenoid actuators 50 in each of the two sets. For ease of description, reference may be had to FIG. 2 where only one set of actuators is shown. The following portion of the description applicable to these actuators will also be applicable to the other set of actuators associated with the opposite end of the selector bars. All of the solenoid actuators 50 are secured or rigidly fastened to the side member 22 and are provided with respective armatures 51. The armature 51 of each actuator is mechanically coupled to a respective selector bar by a flexible chain 52 and associated retainer 53. The selector bars are formed with apertures 54 through which the chains 52 may pass with the number of apertures determined by the number of chains that must pass through a particular to a selector bar that is relatively more remote to the side member 22 carrying the actuators 50. Accordingly, the first selector bar immediately adjacent the side member 22 is provided with 12 apertures 54 at the illustrated end for each of the 12 chains 52 with the remaining bars provided with decreasing number of apertures. For convenience in relating the several components in the operation of selecting a particular card, the solenoid actuators 50 are identified by numeral and letter designators which will associate any one of the particular solenoids with the particular previously designated selector bar. In this case, the solenoid at the extreme left, as seen in FIG. 2, is designated 50-A-1 and each succeeding solenoid is designated in that particular group with the respective numerical code designator in the binary system. The second group of four solenoids is identified as 50-13 having the associated numerical sufiix. Similarly, the third group is identified as the C group of solenoids 50 having the respective numerical suifix l, 2, 4, or 7.

Selective energization of the desired solenoid actuators 50 may be effected through a relatively simplified circuit as shown in FIG. 9. The circuit shown comprises a series of nine push-button switches in each of three similar switch circuits 57, 58, and 59 associated with respective units (A), tens (B) or hundreds (C) groups of the selector bars. The push-button switches, designated by the letter PB and associated numerical suffix 1 through 9 have either one or two poles as illustrated for effecting the desired connection from an appropriate electrical power source, such as a battery 60, to the selected solenoid actuator 50. For example, operation of switch PBl will result in energization of solenoid 50-A-1. Alternatively, actuation of, for example, push-button switch P133 will result in energization of both solenoid 50-A-1 and 50-A-2. Each of the respective switch circuits 57, 58, and 59 are similarly constructed and utilize nine push-button switches. Accordingly, selection or actuation of a push-button switch in each of the circuits 57, 58, and 59 would result in energization solenoid actuators 50 in each of the three groups for mechanical manipulation or displacement of selector bars in each respective group. Accordingly, the operation to select a particular card, would be to simultaneously or concurrently actuate one push-button switch in each of the three circuits 57, 58, and 59. Once these switches have been actuated, a push-button switch 61 is actuated to connect a battery 62 to the six solenoid actuators 34 collectively represented by the single solenoid symbol in FIG. 9. Energization of the actuators 34 would thus pivot the support rails 10 into the position shown in FIG. 5 and release the selected card as shown in that figure.

In accordance with this invention, the coding or identification system utilized incorporates a number and a number complement with respect to each of the slots S such that the capability of the apparatus for a given number of selector bars will be substantially increased over that which could normally be expected from the straightforward combination of a plurality of bars or rods as in the prior art apparatus. For purposes of illustration, reference may be had to FIG. 8 and in particular, to the units group of slots S which comprise the four slots shown at the right side of the card. These L-shaped slots S are equivalent to two sets of hole and slot combinations that can be better utilized in visualizing the concept of a number and number complement in combining the two to effect the increased capability of a limited number of selector bars. This basic concept is better illustrated n the diagrammatic figures of FIG. 10 which illustrate the concept of holes and slots as described in connection with this invention. Assume for purposes of explanation, that a particular card is to be utilized with a four-bar system. Each of the cards would be formed with four holes or slots at the right portion of the card while a complemental arrangement of four holes or slots would be formed at the left side of the card. In a binary system, the holes or slots would be designated for convenience by the numerals 1, 2, 4, and 8. This is the system utilized in the illustrated embodiment and it is not a true binary system, but is convenient for purposes of obtaining a decimal conversion. In accordance with prior art apparatus, four rods would be inserted through four holes and thus all cards would be supported by the rods. Removal of any one or a combination of rods would permit removal of a particular card and it will be seen that such a prior art system is limited in its capability.

Utilization of the complement in accordance with this invention greatly increases the capacity'of a given number of selector bars. For this purpose, it could be assumed that the four rods would normally be inserted through the four positions represented as the complement side of the card. In selection of a particular card, such as that designated as number 6 in this illustrative binary system, the rods identified by 4 and 2 would be removed from the complement side and placed in the same relative positions or the number side. The principal is that while removal of the rods from the complement side would pennit removal all cards of that number and below, placement of the rods in the number side prohibits removal of any cards having a number less than that of the selected number which is 6 in this instance. For example, card 5, which is identified in the system as 4 and 1 would not be removable, since the rod 1 remains in place and extending through a hole on the complement side and rod 2 which has been placed on the number side now extends through a hole. Card number 8 is not removablebecause rod 8 remains in place. Card number 2 is not removable since rod 4 which transferred from the complement to the umber side now extends through a hole.

While an apparatuscould be designed utilizing the removal and reinsertion of elongated rods as has been done in prior art systems, it has been found more convenient to develop an electro-mechanical apparatus utilizing the several selective bars that are laterally displaceable as previously described. In order to accomplish this, the holes and slots on the complement and number sides are combined and result in the L- shaped slots S as show in FIG. 7 on the three cards C identified by the numbers 391, 392, and 393. With respect to the units group A, it will be noted that the slots associated with the numbers 7, 4, and 2 on card 391 have what could be termed a right-hand projection while the slot S for number 1 has a lefthand projection P. The selector bars are normally positioned as shown in full lines and, accordingly, this card could not be removed unless the selector bar A1 is first laterally displaced to the right (the broken line position). Lateral displacement of the bar A1 s, in effect, a removal of a rod from a hole and reinsertion in a position where there is a slot on the number side. Doing this and ignoring, for the time being, the hundreds (C) and tens (B) units, the card could be removed once bar A1 has been displaced, as bars A2, A4 and A7 are in an efiective slot position, associated with the number complement. Within the units range, other cards would be slotted in accordance with the previously described system so that they would not be released by merely displacing the single selector bar A1. As an example, consider the card which is identified as 392. A card which would be released by a number 2 would have the slots S7 and S4 formed as shown, but the configuration of slots S2 and SI would be interchanged. In that case, slot S2 would have a left projection P and lateral displacement of the selective bar A2 would permit release of that case, 'slot S2 would have a left projection P and lateral displacement of the selective bar A2 would permit release of that card. However, the card C illustrated in FIG. 8, would not be released since, without displacement of selective bar Al, the card would not be disengaged with respect to projection P and the respective groove 15 of selector bar A1.

Selection of a card identified by the number 393 would require simultaneous displacement of both selector bars A-1 and A-2. Cards designated as number 391, as shown in FIG. 8, and the card 392, as described, would not be released by the simultaneous actuation of bars A1 and A2. This results from the fact that, with respect to the card having a unit digit of 1 shown in FIG. 8, lateral displacement of selector bar A2 causes a projection, a right-hand projection, in this case to interengage with the groove 14 of bar A2 as that bar is displaced to the right. Consequently, even though bar A1 has been displaced and would have released the card, the card is retained because of the interengagement with bar A2. In a similar manner, the card having a unit digit of 2 would not be released because selector bar Al would have moved to engage a projection P with respect to that card.

The extension of this concept with respect to the other numbers in the units group will be readily understood and will not be further described. Also, this concept is applicable to each of the groups identified and tens (B) and hundreds (C) and will not be further described with respect to those groups other than noting that selection of the card identified as 391 in FIG. 8 will be seen as requiring displacement of selector bars A1, B2, B7, C1, and C2. In the tens group (B), selector bars A2 and A7 correspond to the number. 9, while in the hundreds group (C), bars Al and A2 correspond to the number 3. As previously described, the actuation or mechanical displacement of the desired selector bars would be effected through appropriate operation of the indicated push-button switches P131, P139 and P33 in each of the respective circuits 57, 58, or 59.

It will be readily seen that the illustrated apparatus and technique of utilizing the composite number and number complements system of this invention will enable the capacity of a limited number of selecting mechanisms to be greatly multiplied over that which could be expected with a normal prior art combination techniques. The composite binary decimal system is a limitation on the theoretical capacity of the system; however, it is illustrated to show a useful apparatus on a smaller scale while fully incorporating and demonstrating the principals of this invention. A true binary numbering system would increase the capacity obtainable with the illustrated l2 selector bars to a substantial degree; however, the mechanism for conversion of the operation to receive a decimal input would also be materially increased. In a large system, this could be economically feasible and is technically possible. Apparatus for effecting this conversion are well known in the art and the function of the circuits illustrated in FIG. 9 are merely for purposes of demonstration of the operation and not a limitation on the apparatus that could be incorporated to expand this system.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A random-access article selection apparatus comprising A. A plurality of articles with each article identifiable by a specific numerical designation in accordance with a selected number system,

B. selection means for said articles including a plurality of number elements and a like plurality of complemental number elements with each article provided with number elements and complemental number elements in accordance with said selected number system to cooperatively define a number designating that respective article, and

C. selector means cooperable with said selection means for efiecting selection of a specific article, said selector means including 1. selector mechanism means for each of said number elements and for each of said complemental number elements with said selector mechanism means releasably interengageable with either of said elements and normally engaged with one of said elements, and actuator means operatively coupled with each of said selector mechanism means and selectively operable to cause said selector mechanism means to disengage from the normally engaged one and toengage the other of said number elements and complemental number elements defining the number designating that respective article to be selected.

2. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein selector mechanism means disengaged from a complemental numbers element is engaged with a number element.

3. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein numerically identical ones of said number elements and complement number elements are disposed in physically related pairs whereby disengagement of selector mechanism means from a particular complemental number element results in engagement of that selector mechanism. means with the related number element.

4. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said selection means comprises a plurality of L-shaped slots formed in each of said articles with the vertical leg opening at an outer edge surface of the article with the base legs of the slots in each article relatively directed to define the number designating that particular article by forming number elements positions and complemental number elements positions, and said selector mechanism means comprising a respective selector bar removable through the vertical leg of the L-shaped slot and relatively engageable with the base leg thereof, normally disposed in each of said slots in the complemental number position and laterally displaceable in the slot to the number element position, each selector bar in a respective slot when in the complemental number position either engaged with or disengaged from the base leg of the L- shaped slot and when laterally displaced to the number position then being disengaged from or engaged with the base leg.

5. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 4 in which said actuator means normally maintains each of said selectors bars in said complemental number position and is operable to displace selected selector bars to the number position.

6. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 4 which includes article support means removably positionable in supporting relationship to said articles, said article support means normally positioned in article supporting relationship and operatively coupled with displacing means selectively operable at completion of displacement of said selector bars which displaces said article supporting means to a non-article supporting posiu'on.

7. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said articles is provided with a normally horizontally disposed, upper edge and all of said slots are formed in the adjacent marginal edge portion with the vertical leg portion of each L-shaped slot opening at said upper edge, said selector bars supporting all of said articles in suspended relationship when in said complemental position and supporting all of said articles except a selected article when selectively displaced by said actuator means to select that article.

8. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 having multiple sets of selection means and respective selector means that are operable independently of each other.

9. A random-access selection system for a plurality of articles comprising a numerical identification system consisting of multiple sets of a plurality of number elements and a like plurality of complemental number elements, each number in said numerical identification system including at least one of said number elements and at least one of said complemental number elements with each such number designating a single respective article in accordance with said numerical identification system, selection of a particular article being efiected by selection of all said numbers elements and said complemental number elements in each of the multiple sets thereof defining the number designating said particular article thereby eliminating article designating numbers lower in magnitude and article designating numbers higher in magnitude than said number, respectively. 

1. A random-access article selection apparatus comprising A. A plurality of articles with each article identifiable by a specific numerical designation in accordance with a selected number system, B. selection means for said articles including a plurality of number elements and a like plurality of complemental number elements with each article provided with number elements and complemental number elements in accordance with said selected number system to cooperatively define a number designating that respective article, and C. selector means cooperable with said selection means for effecting selection of a specific article, said selector means including
 1. selector mechanism means for each of said number elements and for each of said complemental number elements with said selector mechanism means releasably interengageable with either of said elements and normally engaged with one of said elements, and
 2. actuator means operatively coupled with each of said selector mechanism means and selectively operable to cause said selector mechanism means to disengage from the normally engaged one and to engage the other of said number elements and complemental number elements defining the number designating that respective article to be selected.
 2. actuator means operatively coupled with each of said selector mechanism means and selectively operable to cause said selector mechanism means to disengage from the normally engaged one and to engage the other of said number elements and complemental number elements defining the number designating that respective article to be selected.
 2. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein selector mechanism means disengaged from a complemental numbers element is engaged with a number element.
 3. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein numerically identical ones of said number elements and complement number elements are disposed in physically related pairs whereby disengagement of selector mechanism means from a particular complemental number element results in engagement of that selector mechanism means with the related number element.
 4. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said selection means comprises a plurality of L-shaped slots formed in each of said articles with the vertical leg opening at an outer edge surface of the article with the base legs of the slots in each article relatively directed to define the number designating that particular article by forming number elements positions and complemental number elements positions, and said selector mechanism means comprising a respective selector bar removable through the vertical leg of the L-shaped slot and relatively engageable with the base leg thereof, normally disposed in each of said slots in the complemental number position and laterally displaceable in the slot to the number element position, each selector bar in a respective slot when in the complemental number position either engaged with or disengaged from the base leg of the L-shaped slot and when laterally displaced to the number position then being disengaged from or engaged with the base leg.
 5. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 4 in which said actuator means normally maintains each of said selectors bars in said complemental number position and is operable to displace selected selector bars to the number position.
 6. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 4 which includes article support means removably positionable in supporting relationship to said articles, said article support means normally positioned in article supporting relationship and operatively coupled with displacing means selectively operable at completion of displacement of said selector bars which displaces said article supporting means to a non-article supporting position.
 7. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said articles is provided with a normally horizontally disposed, upper edge and all of said slots are formed in the adjacent marginal edge portion with the vertical leg portion of each L-shaped slot opening at said upper edge, said selector bars supporting all of said articles in suspended relationship when in said complemental position and supporting all of said articles except a selected article when selectively displaced by said actuator means to select that article.
 8. A random-access article selection apparatus according to claim 1 having multiple sets of selection means and respective selector means that are operable independently of each other.
 9. A random-access selection system for a plurality of articles comprising a numerical identification system consisting of multiple sets of a plurality of number elements and a like plurality of complemental number elements, each number in said numerical identification system including at least one of said number elements and at least one of said complemental number elements with each such number designating a single respective article in accordance with said numerical identification system, selection of a particular article being effected by selection of all said numbers elemenTs and said complemental number elements in each of the multiple sets thereof defining the number designating said particular article thereby eliminating article designating numbers lower in magnitude and article designating numbers higher in magnitude than said number, respectively. 